Dremmel Trio or Alternative

[DJPhatman]

The router is a POS. I own the drill-press, and it is OK. Don't force it through material, like BB, too fast or else the motor will crap out. Check out subharmonics thread on routers. I recommended a Craftsman dual base for ~US$110 that has good power, a fixed and plunge base, 1/2" and 1/4" collets and works with a Jasper Jig.

This one?

http://compare.ebay.com/like/1807280608 ... r&_lwgsi=y

This one: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... ockType=G2

[doncolga]

What will the fixed base do that the plunge won't do?

Thanks!

Donny

[Bruce Weldy]

What will the fixed base do that the plunge won't do?

Thanks!

Donny

More accurate and easier depth-setting for roundover, pattern bits, etc.

[doncolga]

What will the fixed base do that the plunge won't do?

Thanks!

Donny

More accurate and easier depth-setting for roundover, pattern bits, etc.

Will most routers include some basic bits?

[Bruce Weldy]

What will the fixed base do that the plunge won't do?

Thanks!

Donny

More accurate and easier depth-setting for roundover, pattern bits, etc.

Will most routers include some basic bits?

Sorry.....no.

Be selective about what you think you'll need - they get expensive fast.

[doncolga]

A read that a drill press vice was handy to have...should I be looking at one of those too? The main reason I'm looking at the drill press is for ensuring strait holes for the driver screw holes and for the SLA. I'm sure it will be useful for other stuff also.

[Bruce Weldy]

A read that a drill press vice was handy to have...should I be looking at one of those too? The main reason I'm looking at the drill press is for ensuring strait holes for the driver screw holes and for the SLA. I'm sure it will be useful for other stuff also.

Handy yes, necessary no. I've built too many projects to count.....still no drill press. Would it be nice to have - yes. Have I found something that I absolutely need it for - no.

I would suggest money be spent on (assuming you already have a circular saw):

- table saw
- miter saw
- router
- orbital sander
- oscillating sander
- compressor
- brad nailer
- jig saw

Not necessarily in the order, but all those things before a drill press for standard woodworking projects (including speakers).

Now one day, I'll come across a need for one (doesn't have to be much, just enough to tip the scale in my head), and I'll get one. That just hasn't happened yet.

[DJPhatman]

A read that a drill press vice was handy to have...should I be looking at one of those too? The main reason I'm looking at the drill press is for ensuring strait holes for the driver screw holes and for the SLA. I'm sure it will be useful for other stuff also.

The HF drill press is out, then. The distance from the center of the chuck to the edge of the rear mast is too short for doing SLA holes.

[BoostFab]

maybe there will be some good deals coming for Black Friday, if you can wait that long.

[doncolga]

maybe there will be some good deals coming for Black Friday, if you can wait that long.

+1 I think I may wait for that and see as I'm not in a big rush and I've got plenty of other stuff to do. Plus I was thinking that my first four builds were with just a circular saw, beat up jig saw, two drills, sander and grinder for my power tools and they've turned out OK. Just want to be careful to use $'s wisely.

A buddy of mine told me today that a good jig saw would do as good as a router for cutting out driver holes and rings...I think the key word there being "good". The one I've got is pretty up and the circles I cut with it are OK, but a little bit jagged.

[el_ingeniero]

maybe there will be some good deals coming for Black Friday, if you can wait that long.

+1 I think I may wait for that and see as I'm not in a big rush and I've got plenty of other stuff to do. Plus I was thinking that my first four builds were with just a circular saw, beat up jig saw, two drills, sander and grinder for my power tools and they've turned out OK. Just want to be careful to use $'s wisely.

A buddy of mine told me today that a good jig saw would do as good as a router for cutting out driver holes and rings...I think the key word there being "good". The one I've got is pretty up and the circles I cut with it are OK, but a little bit jagged.

There are hundreds of things a router can do which a jigsaw can't:

* Rounding off corners
* dados
* drilling holes
* flush mounts for handles, top hats, jack plates, casters, etc
* logos

And that's just the speaker building part.

[doncolga]

maybe there will be some good deals coming for Black Friday, if you can wait that long.

+1 I think I may wait for that and see as I'm not in a big rush and I've got plenty of other stuff to do. Plus I was thinking that my first four builds were with just a circular saw, beat up jig saw, two drills, sander and grinder for my power tools and they've turned out OK. Just want to be careful to use $'s wisely.

A buddy of mine told me today that a good jig saw would do as good as a router for cutting out driver holes and rings...I think the key word there being "good". The one I've got is pretty up and the circles I cut with it are OK, but a little bit jagged.

There are hundreds of things a router can do which a jigsaw can't:

* Rounding off corners
* dados
* drilling holes
* flush mounts for handles, top hats, jack plates, casters, etc
* logos

And that's just the speaker building part.

Maybe you talked me into it. If another booking or two comes in I may pull the trigger on the router. Does seem versatile. What bit would be used for cutting driver holes and rounding off corners?

[BoostFab]

last year's Black Friday I got a table saw, this time I'm going to get a router and a miter saw.

[Rick Lee]

Router definately. It has a steeper learning curve than some of the others but the rewards are greater. A good jigsaw with good blades is very nice to have around though for quick freehand cuts.

What bit would be used for cutting driver holes and rounding off corners?

1/2" roundover bit and I can't think of the size for the straight bit off the top of my head. A small quality router bit set would have what you need. Oh, look on Leland's site- he has the right bits. Get a router with 1/2" collet and at least 2 horsepower. I've bought several things from CPO outlet and have had good luck with the factory reconditioned stuff. They carry all the name brands.

I would suggest money be spent on (assuming you already have a circular saw):

- table saw
- miter saw
- router
- orbital sander
- oscillating sander
- compressor
- brad nailer
- jig saw

Not necessarily in the order, but all those things before a drill press for standard woodworking projects (including speakers).

I would say (in order of how often I use it)
-table saw
-compressor/brad nailer
-router
-jig saw
-miter saw
Since you can sand pretty effectively by hand I would say before a ROS sander this item:
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-x-3 ... 97181.html
Once you take the dinky table off it's a pretty good sander. The bigger floorstanding unit would be even better.
A good ROS sander is really nice though.
In my last shop that I shared with a friend he had a really nice floor standing drill press and I miss it tremendously. It's the next item on my list.

[el_ingeniero]

Maybe you talked me into it. If another booking or two comes in I may pull the trigger on the router. Does seem versatile. What bit would be used for cutting driver holes and rounding off corners?

The choice brands to get are DeWalt, Porter/Cable, Makita, Bosch, Hitachi and of course Festool (expensive, but most of the price difference is probably dust control at a level mandated by European regulations), not necessarily in that order. I'd stay away from the cheapo brands.

There's a fair amount of used gear on Ebay, which is where I get most of my stuff. You should also look at factory-reconditioned tools which are just as good as new IMO.

Look for a plunge/fixed combo setup, where you can move the motor between bases. If you have to choose between fixed and plunge, everything that can be done with a fixed base can also be done with a plunge base, just a bit (haha) more awkwardly.

For cutting holes, there's 2 ways:

1) a circle cutting jig using a plunge router with an upspiral bit
2) a precut pattern using a fixed base router with a top roller flush trim bit (just cut a hole in the ply close to the edge of the cutout)

For roundovers, a 1/4" roundover bit.

I'd also get a flush trim bit with the roller bearing at the bottom.